Well, here it is….my first blog EVER. Hola, todos! I’m Becky and I’ll be blogging while in Barcelona, Spain, throughout the months of January-early May. I hope you enjoy hearing about my endless journeys just as much as I enjoy sharing them. 5 Random & Brief Facts: 1. My last name is extremely hard to sound out, until it is pronounced for you……Eischeid, (pronounced eye-shy-ed). 2. I’m a magazine junkie, and when I was in 10th grade I began to collect every Teen Vogue magazine that came in the mail (I have about 60 editions, dating back to August 2008). 3. I have four dogs, and I would probably have eight if I didn’t live with my parents. 4. I love all food, but have yet to acquire a liking for seafood and anything raw (such as raw octopus). 5. If I’m not going to class, then it is likely that I will be wearing heels. I am 5’2 and secretly wish I were 5’6. First and foremost, a little introduction: I was born in Summit, NJ, and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. And yes, I am both a Steelers AND Pirates fan. I’m now 20-years-old and will be graduating next spring from PSU with a major in Media Studies, International Communications, along with minors in International Studies, Spanish and Business. Most recently, I’ve survived my fifth semester at PSU–and although finals week was long and dreadful (there’s always a bright side..) it’s over! It’s the start of Christmas break now, and I’m beginning to sink into the relaxation stage. And even though things may seem like they are winding down…….they really aren’t. In about two weeks from now, on January 6th, I will be boarding a plane from Pittsburgh, to JFK, to Barcelona!?? Is this real life? I guess I can’t be too sure until I am on the 8-hour flight to Barcelona, reading endless amounts of magazines —including STAR and PEOPLE—while watching movies and indulging in airplane food. After all, it will be four months until I will be able to eat like an American again. Although, I must admit I am extremely excited to eat healthy and lightly. I am even more anxious to think that the next time I am at The Pennsylvania State University I will be a senior. Surreal. I visited Spain last spring break–not even a year ago. I went with my Spanish class and my Spanish professors, who live in a small town in Southern Spain during the summer months. We visited multiple areas (mainly in Andaluc�a), from Madrid to Granada to Seville and even Cordoba. I knew I had to come back because there was still so much to do, see and learn. Overall, my take of the sovereign state: Beautiful (with cobblestone streets nearly everywhere, exquisite architecture and art), along with delicious **and healthy** food. In High School, I went on a 10-day-excursion to Costa Rica with a group of students and two teachers–not nearly as ‘big of a deal’ as my anticipated 4.5 months of semester studies will be. And to this day, I can confidently admit that it was the best time of my life. From zip lining and horseback riding throughout the rainforests, to sunbathing on the beach and meeting people from different ethnic backgrounds and cultures–all of which was an unforgettable experience. I am told that studying abroad will provide me with an even greater thrill and richer experience. I never imagined the day that I would be studying in a foreign country for nearly five months. This truly is a dream come true. That being said, until the week of January 11th, Hasta Pr�ximo Tiempo y Feliz Navidad!

Location: Barcelona, Spain